18 Jul What Happens If Your Renovation Project Doesn’t Go As Planned?

Home renovation disasters make for good entertainment when you’re streaming them on TV – but no one wants to find themselves in the middle of one on their own property. A home renovation project is, by its very nature, one that requires seamless coordination of thousands of details, big and small. And, even if you think you’ve planned for everything, it is not uncommon for things to happen along the way which weren’t anticipated. 

There could be structural defects or another surprise hidden behind the drywall or under the floor. The plumbing or electrical system could prove defective or inadequate. Or, in these days of supply chain challenges, it might be materials or appliances that don’t arrive when they’re expected. 

Having been in the home improvement business for nearly eighty-five years, we’ve encountered numerous challenges throughout the years. The fact is that however thorough the planning, things do happen. After all, renovation projects involve the coordination of a number of contributors, from the builder to the architect, designer, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, suppliers, and more. 

So the question is not whether something won’t go as planned, but how your contractor will respond when it does. Their partner network and ability to pivot will be key. A good contractor will be able to quickly and accurately evaluate the issue and provide you with an analysis and potential solutions to include cost and time implications. This will help you work together to arrive at the best possible resolution, one that will best benefit the home and you as the homeowner.

Here are some questions you can ask when considering a renovation partner:

• Does the contractor have a track record of thorough planning and meeting deadlines?
• Does the contractor have other options for vendors or suppliers when needed? 
• Is the contractor flexible and creative in finding new solutions?
• How do unforeseen changes affect the schedule? 
• How does the contractor handle cost implications when things come up?
• Does the contractor’s process account for potential setbacks – for example, ordering materials far in advance so that they will be available before they are needed? 
• If something does happen, how will they work to mitigate the impact on me?

So, what happens if your renovation project doesn’t go as planned? It all depends on who you’re working with. At Lee Kimball, we have always put our clients first. We’re known for meticulous planning, execution, and transparency, with an emphasis on controlling every variable we can. Before we begin construction, we’ve ordered the materials we know we’ll need as well as ensured our crews are scheduled and locked. And during the renovation, having real-time client access to their project details, schedule, and progress answers many questions they may have as work is proceeding. 

Our process and systems have served us well especially during the recent turbulent times of unreliable supply chains and fluctuating material costs, as we were able to keep ourselves and our clients on track for the most part. That meant overcoming many unanticipated obstacles and potential delays to complete projects on time and on budget. It hasn’t been perfect during these times but we always do our best to mitigate any impact on our clients. Has it been easy? No. Is it worth it? Absolutely.

If you’re considering a home renovation project, we would love to talk.